[Pathomorphologic diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy]

The authors studied 14 hearts of patients who died of restrictive cardiomyopathy with purpose of finding distinct diagnostic criteria. Modern clinical and morphological methods were used. Characteristic changes in the ventricles were noted. Pathognomonic volumetric and planimetric cardiometric criteria were found. The endomyocardium showed a characteristic layer-like structure including loose, dense connective and granulation tissue with signs of calcification. The essence of the restriction syndrome in cardiomyopathy is defined.